August 18th was Texas Chainsaw Massacre Day, the fictional date when a summer drive turned into a nightmare for five young people back in 1973. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the most iconic independent horror films of our lifetime. Directed by Tobe Hooper and released in October 1974, it tells the story of a group of friends who encounter a family of cannibals and become victims of a terrifying spree.
The film’s grim atmosphere, raw filmmaking style and shocking scenes have cemented its place in horror history, inspiring countless movies and remakes even today.
Check out the latest Chain Saw tribute that has a sprinkle of The Hills Have Eyes: Brute 1976. It’s a sweaty, sleazy and gritty homage to ’70s horror films.
Directed by Marcel Walz and written by Joe Knetter (who is best known for helping write George A. Romero’s soon-to-be released Twilight of the Dead), the film is a terrifying desert horror tale that will make you want to take a shower afterward.
The film opens with Raquel and her girlfriend, June, stranded on the side of a rural road after their car suddenly breaks down. Also nearby, a group of young people is looking for the perfect spot to take cover photos for a magazine. Both groups unintentionally head toward an abandoned town, and the mood shifts from tense to terrifying.
Chaos breaks out when the mysterious Birdy family, living in the shadows of the city, kidnaps members of both groups. The family torments their captives with sadistic games and horrifying violence, including graphic scenes of gore and psychological torture. The situation becomes a nightmare as escape seems impossible. The characters must face their fears and secrets amid the chaos.
Sound familiar? It’s almost too familiar, if you ask me. But I really enjoyed some standout performances.
Adriane McLean plays Roxy, a minor character early in the film who takes on a larger role in the second half. She depicts a woman excited to be the first Black woman on the magazine cover as locations are scouted to shoot. Her portrayal is charming and confident. She was my favorite among the cast because her demeanor and charisma felt very genuine. You root for her survival in this brutal nightmare of a place. McLean hasn’t appeared in many well-known films, but I hope this performance opens doors for her to greater opportunities.
Gigi Gustin’s portrayal of Raquel is another standout performance. Like Roxy, we see more of Raquel later in the film. Gustin has the classic horror movie scream that shocks you to your core. She has a sweet, innocent voice, so when she lets out that scream, it catches you off guard! She has a strong on-screen presence that fits horror, especially something with a campy edge like Brute 1976.
Cinephobia Releasing is the label behind this film, primarily focusing on LGBTQ+ cinema. It’s inspiring to see a company supporting this kind of storytelling today, which makes the movie feel more contemporary and forward-thinking.
I greatly appreciated the cinematography and color grading, which effectively evoked a gritty, unsettling atmosphere reminiscent of the Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The wide, sweeping shots of the landscapes not only highlighted the vast, lonely terrain but also enhanced a feeling of isolation, making the viewer feel trapped in the middle of nowhere. At the same time, these visuals were aesthetically pleasing, balancing a sense of haunting beauty with raw exposure of the rugged environment.
The movie effectively balances brutal gore horror with a campy vibe. The characters and dialogue can be cringey at times, but they fit well with the camp tone. The kills are gruesome and mostly, if not all, use practical effects. There’s one scene that’s so outlandish, I couldn’t help but laugh hysterically. It’s too explicit to describe here, but let’s just say it involves a hole. I’d recommend watching it for this, if nothing else about this film interests you. It’s Terrifier-level gross!
In the beginning, I was excited about the film’s score. It’s grand and builds a deepening tension and fear. Naturally, in true Chain Saw style, there are sounds like a camera that remind me of the original 1974 movie. However, the score became so repetitive and overused. With a runtime of 105 minutes, it’s already too long, and both the score and the kills feel repetitive and worn out halfway through.
But, like I said, the “hole scene” did manage to draw me back in. It caught my attention in the second half of the movie.
The one critical element where this film falls short is the pacing. It is not well-paced, making the film feel like it takes forever. Whenever something exciting happens, the momentum suddenly halts to focus on a different part of the movie, disrupting the flow and leaving me feeling impatient and disconnected from the story.
And while the story has a slight twist, it does little to restore stability. Not to mention, the story mostly copies the original Massacre. The filmmakers didn’t do much to make it their own movie besides adding LGBTQ+ representation and a minor twist. I would have loved to see more originality or an expansion of this familiar slasher story.
Overall, I give Brute 1976 two and a half out of five stars. I respect the concept that was aimed for. Editing the film into a shorter version with more original ideas might have worked better for me. Maybe leaning more into the campy side would have been fun too, since Texas Chain Saw Massacre isn’t that campy at all (unless we’re talking about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, but that’s a whole different story).
Whether you’re in the mood for a new movie or a classic, there’s plenty to choose from to celebrate Texas Chainsaw Massacre Day. Heck, I say we make it Texas Chainsaw Massacre Week! Who’s with me?
Because, after all, “the saw is family!”
Brute 1976 hits select theaters at the end of August and VOD on September 30th.